View of the Empire State Building, New York City

The Empire State Building is a New York City icon. Not only is this 102-story skyscraper an Art Deco masterpiece, it has been a centerpiece of popular culture since the filming of King Kong in 1933. What's more, the Empire State Building is a symbol of 20th century man's attempt to achieve the impossible and was the world's tallest building for 41 years, from 1931 to 1972. Having said that, its worth weighing the facts before purchasing tickets. The Empire State Building boasts a bird's-eye view of New York City. The best views are from the outside, i.e. the 86th floor observatory. Visibility is weather dependent. Kids love the views but hate the queues.